maine thiboutot argued april decided june held title provides anyone color state statute regulation custom deprives another rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable injured party encompasses claims based purely statutory violations federal law respondents claim petitioners deprived welfare benefits entitled federal social security act given congress attached modifiers phrase laws plain language statute embraces respondents claim even language ambiguous earlier decisions including cases involving social security act claims explicitly implicitly suggest remedy broadly encompasses violations federal statutory well constitutional law rosado wyman edelman jordan monell new york city dept social services pp view plain language legislative history civil rights attorney fees awards act provides attorney fees may awarded prevailing party action enforce provision inter alia makes exception statutory actions authorizes award attorney fees actions moreover follows legislative history supremacy clause fee provision part remedy whether action brought federal instant action state pp brennan delivered opinion stewart white marshall blackmun stevens joined powell filed dissenting opinion burger rehnquist joined post james eastman smith assistant attorney general maine argued cause petitioners briefs richard cohen attorney general robert edmond mittel argued cause respondents brief susan calkins hugh calkins brief amici curiae urging reversal filed edward biester attorney general robert kelly allen warshaw deputy attorneys general commonwealth pennsylvania joined officials respective follows francis bellotti attorney general massachusetts garrick cole assistant attorney general john degnan attorney general new jersey andrea silkowitz deputy attorney general thomas rath attorney general new hampshire jerome diamond attorney general vermont benson scotch assistant attorney general dennis roberts ii attorney general rhode island allen rubine deputy attorney general john foley eileen cooney special assistant attorneys general richard gebelein attorney general delaware regina small state solicitor briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed bruce ennis american civil liberties union et al carol goodman volunteer lawyers project boston bar association et al justice brennan delivered opinion case presents two related questions arising respondents brought suit maine superior alleging petitioners state maine commissioner human services violated depriving respondents welfare benefits entitled federal social security act specifically petitioners present two issues whether encompasses claims based purely statutory violations federal law whether attorney fees may awarded prevailing party action respondents lionel joline thiboutot married eight children three lionel previous marriage maine department human services notified lionel computing aid families dependent children afdc benefits entitled three children exclusively longer make allowance money spent support five children even though lionel legally obligated support respondents challenging state interpretation exhausted state administrative remedies sought judicial review administrative action state superior amended complaint respondents also claimed relief others similarly situated superior judgment enjoined petitioners enforcing challenged rule ordered adopt new regulations notify class members new regulations pay correct amounts retroactively respondents prospectively eligible class members however denied respondents motion attorney fees judicial maine concluded respondents entitlement attorney fees state law eligible attorney fees pursuant civil rights attorney fees awards act stat granted certiorari affirm ii section provides every person color statute ordinance regulation custom usage state territory subjects causes subjected citizen person within jurisdiction thereof deprivation rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable party injured action law suit equity proper proceeding redress emphasis added even language ambiguous however doubt meaning resolved several cases suggesting explicitly implicitly remedy broadly encompasses violations federal statutory well constitutional law rosado wyman example held suits federal proper secure compliance provisions social security act part participating edelman jordan monell new york city dept social services support conclusion municipalities persons reasoned doubt civil rights act intended provide remedy broadly construed forms official violation federally protected rights similarly owen city independence holding immunity discretionary functions provided basis according municipalities immunity noted looks whether municipality conformed requirements federal constitution statutes mitchum foster lynch household finance noted predecessor enlarged provide protection rights privileges immunities secured federal law greenwood peacock observed state officers may made respond damages violations rights conferred federal equal civil rights laws violations federal constitutional statutory rights well availability alternative sanction helped support holding permit removal federal state prosecution defense state law conflicted defendants federal rights final example justice stone writing hague cio expressed opinion product exten sion include rights privileges immunities secured laws well constitution might dismiss dictum foregoing statements numerous specific analysis several cases involving social security act ssa claims relied availability cause action statutory claims constitutional claims also raised cases providing jurisdictional base statutory claims allowed go forward decided merits pendent jurisdiction following cases necessarily exclusive statutory cause action held edelman jordan marshall dissenting ssa affords private right action state miller youakim state foster care program inconsistent ssa quern mandley state emergency assistance program consistent ssa van lare hurley state shelter allowance provisions inconsistent ssa townsend swank state prohibition afdc aid college students inconsistent ssa king smith state cohabitation prohibition inconsistent ssa cf hagans lavine district jurisdiction decide whether state recoupment provisions consistent ssa carter stanton district jurisdiction decide whether state rule consistent ssa face plain language consistent treatment provision petitioners nevertheless persist suggesting phrase laws read limited civil rights equal protection laws petitioners suggest civil rights act stat accorded jurisdiction remedy deprivations rights secured constitution divided statutory revision remedial section rev stat jurisdictional sections rev stat congress intended change made made new sections well section jurisdictional provision circuit courts model current jurisdictional provision applied deprivations rights secured constitution right secured law providing equal rights hand remedial provision predecessor expanded apply deprivations rights secured constitution laws provision granting jurisdiction district courts deprivations rights secured constitution right secured law need repeat length detailed debate meaning scanty legislative history concerning addition phrase laws see chapman houston welfare rights organization powell concurring white concurring judgment stewart dissenting one conclusion emerges clearly legislative history permit definitive answer stewart dissenting express explanation offered insertion phrase laws one hand principal purpose added language ensure federal legislation providing specifically equality rights brought within ambit civil action authorized statute powell concurring hand indications purpose congress attention specifically directed new language representative lawrence speech house representatives began observing revisers often changed meaning existing statutes cong rec referred civil rights statutes possibly showing verbal modifications bordering legislation went read congress original revised versions short congress aware legislative history demonstrate plain language intended petitioners arguments amount claim congress careful fully thought relationship among various sections might acted differently argument however best addressed congress important note remained quiet face many pronouncements scope cf tva hill iii petitioners next argue even claim within congress intend statutory claims covered civil rights attorney fees awards act added following sentence emphasis added action proceeding enforce provision sections title title ix public law et seq civil action proceeding behalf america enforce charging violation provision internal revenue code title vi civil rights act et seq discretion may allow prevailing party reasonable attorney fee part costs legislative history entirely consistent plain language true major purpose civil rights attorney fees awards act benefit claiming deprivations constitutional civil rights principal sponsors measure house senate however explicitly stated floor debates statute make fees available broadly representative drinan explained act apply authorizes suits state local officials based upon federal statutory well constitutional rights example blue craig cir cong rec senator kennedy also included ssa case example cases enforc ing rights promised congress constitution act embrace short question congress passed fees act anticipating apply statutory claims several participating amici curiae argue even applies claims alleging deprivations statutory rights apply state courts merit argument said martinez california held actions may brought state courts representative drinan described purpose civil rights attorney fees awards act authoriz ing award reasonable attorney fee actions brought state federal courts cong rec congress viewed fees authorized integral part remedies necessary obtain compliance follows history supremacy clause fee provision part remedy whether action brought federal state affirmed footnotes state appeal judgment judicial remanded allow superior exercise discretion determine appropriate disposition fee request plain language supported consistent judicial interpretation strong ordinarily necessary look beyond words statute tva hill concurring opinion chapman houston welfare rights organization justice powell argument proceeds basis flawed premise congress intend change meaning existing laws revised statutes assumed congress instructed revisers make changes revisers obeyed instructions fact second section statute creating revision commission stat mandated commissioners mak alterations may necessary reconcile contradictions supply omissions amend imperfections original text furthermore clear congress understood mandate authorize commission merely copy arrange proper order classify heads actual text statutes force cong rec already decided customary stout assertions codifiers merely clarified reorganized without changing substance taken face value price holding revisers significantly broadened forerunner inherent illogic construing broadly construed chapman houston welfare rights organization supra mean statutory rights congress decided enforced federal courts unless jurisdictional amount satisfied appearing amici suggest hutto finney left open issue whether congress exercising power fourteenth amendment set aside eleventh amendment immunity statutory opposed constitutional cases hutto however concluded alternatively eleventh amendment bar attorney fee awards federal courts fee awards part costs traditionally awarded without regard state eleventh amendment immunity eleventh amendment question present course action brought state since amendment terms restrains judicial power blue craig plaintiffs claimed north carolina medicaid plan inconsistent ssa case pending officials accepted social security act funds years certain medical screening programs fact programs state bond stanton cir cong rec list examples senator kennedy included la raza unida volpe nd cal plaintiffs demonstrated violations department transportation act various sections dealing housing displacement relocation committee reports accord senate report recognized actions covered act include suits redressing violations federal constitution laws house report suggesting party prevailing claim support fee award entitled determination attached claim covered order determine eligibility fees recognizes special problem presented instances claim fees may involve constitutional question negative pregnant instances claim fees need involve constitutional question state courts addressed issue reached result case ramirez county hudson super tobeluk lind alaska young toia app div lange nature conservancy app board trustees holso wyo thorpe durango school district app cert granted colorado fees available state courts federalism concerns raised plaintiffs choice bring complaints concerning state actions federal courts moreover given class cases stating causes action cognizable federal absent jurisdictional amount see supra plaintiffs forced go state courts contrary congressional intent still face financial disincentives asserting claimed deprivations federal rights justice powell chief justice justice rehnquist join dissenting holds today almost casually creates cause action deprivations color state law federal statutory right transformed purely statutory claims civil rights actions concludes permits prevailing party recover attorney fees two holdings dramatically expand liability state local officials may virtually eliminate american rule suits officials opinion reflects little consideration consequences judgment relies upon plain meaning phrase laws upon assertedly consistent treatment statute ante reading adopted today anything plain statutory language placed historical context moreover today never held encompasses purely statutory claims past treatment subject incidental far consistent firm basis decision historical evidence convincingly shows phrase finds clear remains nothing shorthand reference equal rights legislation enacted congress read laws broadly ignore lessons history logic policy part opinion examines claim construes plain meaning part ii reviews historical evidence enactment part iii considers practical consequences today decision final substantive section demonstrates precedents support ruling today section provides relevant part person color state law subjects person deprivation rights privileges immunities secured constitution laws shall liable party injured asserts phrase laws means says congress attached modifiers phrase ante finding definitive contrary indications legislative history concludes statute provides remedy violations social security act suggests read phrase laws narrowly address arguments congress ante forbidden look behind language legislative enactments might force suggestion laws must read include federal statutes ante plain meaning rule inflexible imagines although plain meaning always starting point blue chip stamps manor drug stores powell concurring rarely ignores available aids statutory construction see cass harrison northern trust quoting american trucking recognized consistently statutes interpreted consideration words considering well context purposes law circumstances words employed district columbia carter quoting puerto rico shell see generally tva hill powell dissenting rule different statute question derived civil rights legislation reconstruction era statutes must given meaning sweep dictated origins language language alone lynch household finance language reflect history reveals true legislative intent readily construed civil rights acts include words congress inadvertently omitted see examining board flores de otero interpreting confer jurisdiction upon territorial courts thus plain meaning simplistic guide construction blind reliance plain meaning particularly inappropriate congress inserted critical language without explicit discussion revised statutes see ante indeed single shred evidence legislative history adoption revision mentions change since legislative history also shows revision generally intended alter meaning existing law see part ii infra previously insisted apparent changes scrutinized care justice holmes observed revised statutes lightly read making change sischo ii origins phrase laws discussed detail two concurring opinions last term compare chapman houston welfare rights powell concurring white concurring judgment shall recount full historical evidence presented chapman opinion nevertheless abrupt dismissal proposition congress intend change meaning existing laws revised statutes ante reflects misconception fundamental require summary historical record section derives civil rights act provided cause action deprivations constitutional rights laws mentioned act apr stat phrase laws added congress consolidated laws single volume new arrangement see cong rec remarks lawrence consequently intent congress central case addition creating cause action act conferred concurrent jurisdiction upon district circuit courts stat revision remedial portion codified revised statutes provided cause action terms identical present jurisdictional portion divided conferring district jurisdiction conferring circuit jurisdiction although came source worded differently section referred deprivations rights secured constitution laws described rights secured constitution law encompassed rights secured constitution law providing equal rights citizens congress merged jurisdiction circuit district courts narrower language adopted ultimately became present act mar stat view legislative history unmistakably shows variations phrasing introduced revision inadvertent section intended precisely scope chapman houston welfare rights supra powell concurring moreover defensible interpretation contemporaneous legislative record reference laws section intended ensure federal legislation providing specifically equality rights brought within ambit civil action authorized careful study available materials leaves serious doubt contrary conclusion completely odds intent congress holds today foregoing reasoning based flawed premise congress instructed revision commission change statutes certain respects ante act june stat premise flawed revision commission worked six years project submitted congress draft contain substantive changes joint congressional committee appointed early transform draft bill concluded utterly impossible carry measure understood contained new legislation cong rec remarks poland see act mar stat therefore committee employed thomas jefferson durant strike modifications existing law wherever meaning law changed cong rec remarks poland see remarks lawrence remarks butler december durant completed work introduced house solemn assurance bill embodies law ibid house met series evening sessions review bill restore original meaning necessary one sessions representative lawrence delivered speech upon relies ante lawrence explained revisers often separated existing statutes substantive remedial criminal sections accord new organization statutes topic read original revised versions civil rights statutes illustrate arrangement possibly show verbal modifications bordering legislation cong rec reading without mentioning addition laws lawrence stated comparison present fair specimen manner work done judge accuracy translation observing mode classifying extent duplicates revision portions statutes previously one lawrence praised general accuracy revision ibid nothing sequence remarks supports decision today mention addition laws hint reach extended lawrence intention statement house singularly disingenuous way proposing major piece legislation context plain representative lawrence mention changes bordering legislation way introducing substantive changes act rather emphasizing revision intended modify existing statutes reading might reveal errors eliminated doubt congress aware ante meeting specially one last attempt detect strike legislative changes may remained proposed revision despite best efforts durant joint committee representative challenged sections revised statutes derived civil rights act silence reflected understanding present laws alter original meaning statute members congress participated yearlong effort expunge substantive alterations revised statutes evinced intent whatever enact modification civil rights act relevant evidence largely ignored today shows congress painstakingly sought avoid changes iii legislative history alone refutes assertion congress intended alter meaning compelling reasons reject interpretation phrase laws first reading words encompass every federal enactment extends beyond reach jurisdictional counterpart second reading creates broad program enforcing federal legislation departs significantly purposes unexpected plainly unintended consequences avoided whenever statute reasonably may given interpretation consistent legislative purpose see sorrells ryan holy trinity church acknowledges construction creates federal civil rights supplies federal jurisdiction ante finds inherent illogic view ibid gap logic wide indeed light history purpose civil rights legislation consider today sections derive section act see supra originally enacted two sections necessarily coextensive see chapman houston welfare rights emphasized repeatedly right federal forum every case viewed crucial ingredient federal remedy afforded stated example major purpose civil rights acts involve federal judiciary effort exert federal control state officials refused enforce law district columbia carter congress part thought state courts time provide impartial forum see see generally monroe pape developments law section federalism harv rev thus congress elected afford uniquely federal remedy mitchum foster federal right federal courts district columbia carter supra quoting monroe pape supra emphasis added four terms ago considered origins concluded two provisions meant complementary examining board flores de otero see lynch household finance ignores perceptions dismisses without explanation proposition explicitly accepted flores coextensive cites evidence congress ever intended alter fundamentally original remedial plan aware none nearly every commentator considered question concluded intended supply federal jurisdiction actions see chapman houston welfare rights supra powell concurring collecting citations since covers statutory claims arise laws providing equal rights citizens chapman houston welfare rights supra limitation necessarily implicit decision apply statute without regard scope jurisdictional counterpart war plainly expressed intent congress opinion consider nature scope litigation authorized practical effect today decision means state local governments officers employees may face liability whenever person believes injured administration cooperative program whether program related equal civil rights even cursory survey code reveals literally hundreds cooperative regulatory social welfare enactments may affected participate enforcement federal laws governing migrant labor noxious weeds historic preservation wildlife conservation anadromous fisheries scenic trails strip mining various statutes authorize cooperative agreements aspects federal land management addition federal grants administered state local governments available virtually every area public administration unemployment medicaid school lunch subsidies food stamps welfare benefits may provide particularly inviting subjects litigation federal assistance also includes variety subsidies education housing health care transportation public works law enforcement might benefit grants potential plaintiffs one predict extent litigation arising today decision harass state local officials one foresee number new filings already overburdened courts one doubt consequences substantial advances reason believe congress present day intended expansion federally imposed liability state defendants moreover state local governments bear entire burden liability violations statutory civil rights even federal officials involved equally administration affected program section grants right action foregoing cooperative programs provide expressly private actions enforce terms thus private litigants may sue responsible federal officials relatively rare case cause action may implied governing substantive statute cf transamerica mortgage advisors lewis touche ross redington defies reason believe congress intended without discussion impose burden upon state defendants even cause action federal officials available litigants likely focus efforts upon state defendants order obtain attorney fees liberal standard evidence claims already appended complaints solely purpose obtaining fees actions civil rights kind best afterthought case example respondents added count complaint years action initiated apparently response enactment civil rights attorney fees awards act see also imperial irrigation rev grounds sub nom bryant yellen uses technique explored fully rules pendent jurisdiction quite liberal plaintiffs prevail pendent claims may win awards maher gagne post consequently ingenious pleaders may find ways recover attorney fees almost suit state defendant nothing legislative history civil rights attorney fees awards act suggests congress intended remove completely protection american rule suits state defendants congress revised statutes hardly anticipated subsequent proliferation federal statutes yet congressional power enact laws spending commerce clauses well known congress need foreseen ultimate scope powers understood expansion statutory claims serious consequences today decision confers upon courts unprecedented authority oversee state actions little nothing individual rights defined enforced civil rights legislation reconstruction era result reconciled purposes enacted also imposes unequal burdens state federal officials joint administration federal programs may expose state defendants liability attorney fees virtually every case member congress suggested legislation embodying results proposal certainly hotly debated simply inconceivable congress professing firm intention make substantive changes law nevertheless intended enact major new remedial program approving without discussion addition two words statute adopted three years earlier iv finally insists interpretation foreordained line precedent strong analysis unnecessary ante true suits state officials alleging violations social security act become commonplace last decade ibid instant action follows pattern thus implies today decision largely inconsequential reaffirmation statutory interpretation settled authoritatively many years tempting way avoid confronting serious issues presented case attempt withstand analysis far fact purely statutory actions invention last years seesaw approach last century leaves little room certainty question discussed fully resolved explicitly compare monell new york city dept social services monroe pape yet last term neither justice ever undertaken directly thoroughly consideration question presented case commentators chronicled tortuous path judicial interpretation civil rights acts enacted civil war see gressman unhappy history civil rights legislation rev note developments law section federalism harv rev note proper scope civil rights acts harv rev one writer found cases decided first years history comment civil rights act emergence adequate federal civil remedy ind another lamented late statute given intended broad effect without judicial constitutional upheaval first magnitude gressman supra upheaval ultimately take place actions constitute substantial share federal caseload nevertheless cases dealing purely statutory civil rights claims remain nearly rare early years holt indiana manufacturing appears first reported decision deal statutory claim case dismissed want jurisdiction claim based upon constitution federal patent laws stated revised statutes refer civil rights inapplicable since holt involved constitutional statutory claims civil rights limitation later viewed general restriction application although constitutional claims generally limited personal rights wake holt justice stone influential opinion hague cio purely statutory claims remained virtually unrecognized appeals second circuit considered statutory claim nearly half century holt found case whatever right privilege stake secured law bomar keyes cert denied plaintiff bomar public school teacher alleged school board discharged absences incurred exercising statutory right serve federal jury appeals concluded complaint stated claim opinion bomar cited authority reviewed legislative history provoked widespread commentary see generally note propriety granting federal hearing statutorily based actions civil rights acts blue craig geo rev appears little practical effect issue arise frequency late challenges state administration federal social welfare legislation became commonplace lower courts responded suits conflicting conclusions found applicable federal statutory claims others refused apply purely statutory rights yet others believed covered rights derived nonconstitutional sources numerous scholarly comments discussed possible solutions without reaching consensus courts commentators debated issue period singularly obtuse asserts doubt meaning laws resolved long line consistent authority going back ante know commentator thought doubt extinguished today quotes statement edelman jordan rosado wyman held suits federal proper secure compliance provisions social security act part participating ante statement true confusion remaining rosado simply inexplicable fact course rosado established proposition law plaintiffs case challenged state welfare provision constitutional grounds premising jurisdiction upon added pendent statutory claim held first district retained power adjudicate statutory claim even constitutional claim jurisdiction based became moot opinion considered merits plaintiffs argument new york law comport social security act although assume existence private right action enforce act opinion discuss purport decide whether applies statutory claims rosado case assumed sub silentio welfare claimants cause action challenge adequacy state programs social security act observes many recent decisions construing act made unspoken assumption ante necessarily follow cases assumed cause action provided rather social security act even cases provide support ruling today hen questions jurisdiction passed prior decisions sub silentio never considered bound subsequent case finally brings jurisdictional issue us hagans lavine see monell new york city dept social services cranch rule applies even greater force questions involving availability cause action question whether cause action exists unlike existence federal jurisdiction may assumed without decided burks lasker thus ruling finds support past cases issue squarely raised hagans lavine supra must approach question open one calling canvass relevant considerations also relies upon numerous specific dicta prior decisions ante none cited cases contains anything bare assertion proposition proved say much less example occasionally referred remedy violations federally protected rights federal constitution statutes monell new york city dept social services supra owen city independence generalized references merely restate language statute shed light question whether statutory rights protected extent relevance issue hand countered frequent occasions referred remedy constitutional violations without mentioning statutes debate meaningless none offhand remarks provides remotest support positions taken case remaining decisions consistent line precedents greenwood peacock edelman jordan case asserted without discussion course disposing issues coverage statutory rights extended beyond federal equal rights laws neither contains discussion question neither cites relevant authority always uncritically assumed proposition greenwood edelman said stand day decided edelman refused express view question whether creates cause action purely statutory claims hagans lavine supra point reserved southeastern community college davis rest landmark decision two statements made dictum without critical examination extraordinary case context unprecedented decisions construing civil rights legislation reconstruction era repudiated blind adherence principle stare decisis greenwood peacock supra justice frankfurter observed issues raised concern basic problem american federalism significance approximating constitutional dimension monroe pape dissenting opinion although justice frankfurter view prevail monroe heeded consistently admonition ordinary concerns stare decisis apply less forcefully areas law monell new york city dept social services supra backdrop justification reliance unexamined dicta principal support major extension liability view decision today significantly expands concept civil rights creates major new intrusion state sovereignty federal system probative evidence congress intended authorize pervasive judicial oversight state officials flow construction although today decision makes new law consequences brushes aside critical issues congressional intent national policy force past decisions precedent reverse judgment judicial maine appendix opinion powell dissenting joint regulatory endeavors federal noxious weed act stat see historic sites buildings antiquities act stat amended ed supp iii see fish wildlife coordination act stat amended see anadromous fish conservation act stat amended supp iii see supp iii wild horses burros act stat amended ed supp iii see marine mammal protection act stat amended ed supp iii see national employment system act stat et seq see employment farm laborers surface mining control reclamation act stat et seq supp iii see supp iii interstate commerce act stat amended supp iii enforcement highway transportation law resource management laws involving administration forest lands act mar stat act stat laws involving construction management water projects water supply act stat boulder canyon projects act stat amended rivers harbors appropriation act stat national trails system act stat amended ed supp iii see supp iii outer continental shelf lands act amendment stat supp iii oil leasing grant programs food stamp act stat amended ed supp iii see supp iii small business investment act stat amended supp iii education amendments stat amended et seq supp iii see highway act legislation ed supp iii comprehensive employment training act amendments stat et seq supp iii see housing act added stat amended et seq ed supp iii see national school lunch act stat amended et seq ed supp iii see ed supp iii public works economic development act stat amended et seq see justice system improvement act stat et seq supp iii see juvenile justice delinquency prevention act stat amended et seq ed supp iii see ed supp iii energy conservation production act stat amended et seq ed supp iii see ed supp iii developmentally disabled assistance bill rights act stat amended et seq ed supp iii see ed supp iii urban mass transportation act stat amended et seq ed supp iii see ed supp iii plain meaning laws may elusive admits one might expect statute referring rights secured either constitution laws employ disjunctive precisely congress civil rights act referred laws originally enacted act may stat codified statute created criminal penalties conspiracy deprive persons rights secured constitution laws ibid emphasis added five years later congress enacted statute providing general jurisdiction described matters arising constitution laws act mar stat emphasis added codified contrast natural reading conjunctive require right issue secured constitution laws included rights set civil rights act incorporated fourteenth amendment civil rights act see gressman unhappy history civil rights legislation rev legislative history suggest adopt limited construction advocate plain meaning hardly ignore ambiguity revision also drew third jurisdictional provision act provision authorized review without regard amount controversy ny final judgment case brought account deprivation right privilege immunity secured constitution right privilege citizen rev stat thus actually became four separate statutes view congress intended broaden remedial district jurisdictional provisions encompass violations laws simultaneously restricting circuit jurisdiction laws providing equal rights although mention statute easily read encompass rights secured federal law thus attributes congress intention create new class civil rights claims litigated district circuit courts without right review assume congress intended senseless jurisdictional results section survive revision worth noting however statute creating revision commission also directed revisers shall suggest congress statutory imperfections corrected mode done act june stat revisers obeyed directive placing marginal comments next section deemed amended law see cong rec hoar comment accompanied strong evidence revisers intended substantive change see revision statutes drafted commissioners appointed purpose assurances repeated representative butler told colleagues committee attempted change law force december single word letter make different reading different sense cong rec month later representative poland stated bill meant exact transcript exact reflex existing statute law shall nothing omitted nothing changed senator conkling said aim throughout preserve absolute identity meaning may see chapman houston welfare rights powell concurring contrary suggestion ante never held revisers significantly broadened forerunner price involved interpretation opinion contained dictum effect similarly worded expanded consider legislative history revision passing reference certainly binding precedent addition laws change meaning congress assumed phrase referred federal equal rights legislation legislation contained civil rights acts conferred rights also secured recently adopted fourteenth amendment see supra section supplies jurisdiction claims involving rights secured constitution act congress providing equal rights citizens persons within jurisdiction neither social security act provides equal rights within meaning section chapman houston welfare rights supra view today actions based statutes unrelated equal rights brought district circuit courts see supra congress merged two jurisdictional provisions narrower language circuit provision adopted act mar stat yet indication legislative history act congress intended change scope federal jurisdiction senate report new section merges jurisdiction vested district circuit courts vests district courts pt pp one author thought idiotic interpret differently cover establishing federal jurisdiction actions brought vindicate statutory federal rights violations constitutional rights alleged clearinghouse pp uncertainty courts conclude congress set remedial system overlooks nothing minor technicality giving jurisdiction courts especially reluctant reach result every evidence federal forum focal point legislation ibid section actions may brought municipalities subdivisions officers employees although refer potential defendants state defendants purpose opinion may notable difference among protected retroactive damages awards eleventh amendment individual defendants generally claim immunity act good faith municipalities however strictly liable errors administration complex federal statutes see owen city independence exception cases governing statute provides exclusive remedy violations terms see adickes kress cf great american fed assn novotny incomplete sample statutes requiring cooperation collected appendix opinion plaintiffs also may contend state activities unrelated cooperative programs burdened rights secured federal statutes chase mcmasters authority secretary interior hold indian lands cert denied wirth surles extradition prisoners cert denied bomar keyes right sit federal juries cert denied gage commonwealth edison supp nd right environmental impact statement prior action federal agency participates mcguire amrein supp md federal ban tapping telephones see wolf pendent jurisdiction litigation civil rights attorney fees awards act new eng rev references statutory claims cited ante fall far short demonstrating congress considered intended consequences interpretation section passed express purpose enforc ing provisions fourteenth amendment act apr stat see lynch household finance monroe pape civil rights attorney fees awards act also passed enforcement clauses thirteenth fourteenth amendments cong rec remarks abourezk remarks drinan imply either statute must limited strictly claims arising war amendments congress elected proceed enforcement powers suggests however intention protect enduring civil rights rather virtually limitless entitlements created federal statutes number cases filed federal civil rights statutes increased see butz economou rehnquist dissenting new filings remained relatively constant date see director administrative office courts ann table figures include many prisoner petitions filed annually ibid prisoner petitions included number civil rights cases filed rises see table drawing holt indiana manufacturing justice stone argued applies rights involving personal liberty dependent existence upon infringement property rights hague cio view widely held rejected lynch household finance see note propriety granting federal hearing statutorily based actions civil rights acts blue craig geo rev lynch explained result holt product special restrictions federal jurisdiction challenges collection state taxes prevailing view limiting actions personal rights may discouraged statutory claims see supra little occasion consider whether limited equal rights statutes rights distinction served much purpose note geo blue craig social security act gomez florida state employment service act la raza unida southern alameda county volpe supp nd cal uniform relocation assistance real property acquisition policies act wynn indiana state department public welfare supp nd ind social security act chase mcmasters relationship federal government indians embodied indian organization act constitutional dimensions mccall shapiro social security act statute providing equal civil rights first nat bank omaha marquette nat bank supp national bank act restriction interest rates statute providing equal civil rights cf schatte international alliance theatrical stage employees social security act national labor relations act enforceable remedies prescribed therein see cover supra herzer federal jurisdiction welfare claims harv civ lib rev note geo supra note federal jurisdiction challenges state welfare programs colum rev note proper scope civil rights acts harv rev note geo rev see la raza unida southern alameda county volpe supra issue yet definitively resolved contrary suggestion ante edelman jordan exclude possibility implied private right action social security act edelman held state waive eleventh amendment immunity participating federal assistance program established act thus lower courts properly regarded question undecided holley lavine podrazik blum supp ndny finding open question hagans expressly declined follow implicit holdings less eight decisions monroe pape see procunier navarette wood strickland slightly specific support may gleaned three opinions stating revised statutes enlarged extended predecessor provide protection rights secured federal laws well constitution mitchum foster lynch household finance hague cio opinion stone statement pure dictum incorporated discussion historical background moreover merely noted evident change language worked revisers none implies statutory rights covered justice stone example undoubtedly surprised learn opinion argued applied personal rights stands proposition statutory rights covered without limitation greenwood peacock cited leading case monroe pape supra monroe nothing whatever statutory claims edelman jordan supra relied exclusively rosado wyman also discuss coverage see supra